Ind 'A' vs Eng: Tiwary stakes claim for Test spot; Finn injured

The tourists were kept on the field for the entire first day's play as India 'A', lifted by Manoj Tiwary's impressive 93, scored 369-9 in the three-day practice match at the Brabourne stadium.

The lanky Finn, regarded as a certainty for the four-Test series starting in Ahmedabad on November 15, bowled four overs within the first hour before being confined to the dressing room for the rest of the day.

Finn is expected to have a scan to determine the cause of the discomfort in his right leg, but his absence from the field cost the tourists dearly.

Yuvraj Singh and Abhinav Mukund during the first day of practice. Photo: AFP

The bowlers wilted under the hot sun as Tiwary and Irfan Pathan (46) put on 110 for the seventh wicket to build on sparkling half-centuries from opener Abhinav Mukund and Yuvraj Singh.

Tiwary, who turns 27 next month, put himself into Test reckoning after eight one-day appearances as he and Pathan helped the hosts recover from 186-6 in the post-lunch session. Pathan's contribution in the century partnership was a well-made 46. The duo put on a stand of 110 for the seventh wicket in 168 balls, with Pathan striking five fours and two sixes, to take the team past the 300-mark.

The Bengal captain, looking well-set for a deserving century, tried to play across against England's pacer Tim Bresnan and lost his stumps. He faced 150 balls and hit 11 fours in his 202-minute knock.